As the 2025 National Basic Education Excellence Course Selection approaches, many novice teachers are feeling the pressure. The challenge of preparing efficiently and enhancing the quality of submissions has become a pressing issue. This guide addresses common concerns and provides actionable strategies to help educators stand out in this competitive event.
1. Topic Selection: Precision and Brevity
Choosing the right topic is critical. Teachers should refer to the National Primary and Secondary School Smart Education Platform's course catalog, ensuring alignment with textbook versions and grade levels. Focus on familiar content that can be thoroughly covered within one class session, prioritizing "short and concise" over comprehensive coverage.
For special education courses (e.g., schools for the blind, deaf, or students with intellectual disabilities), topics should reflect the unique needs of these students. Artificial intelligence courses (compulsory education stage) should center on four themes: "foundation, application, implementation, and ethics," guiding students to explore AI. Reading courses offer broad options, with six recommended themes: "literature, ideological education, history, science, law, and health," designed to spark students' interest.
2. Understanding the Rules: Key Requirements
Carefully review the competition guidelines to avoid costly mistakes. Pay close attention to:
- Video duration: 10–15 minutes for primary school, 15–20 minutes for secondary school.
- Format specifications: 16:9 aspect ratio, H.264 encoding. Non-compliance may disqualify submissions.
- Submission materials: Micro-lecture video (MP4), slides (PPT), lesson plan (Word), learning task sheet (Word), and assignments or practical exercises (Word). Special education and reading courses may omit assignments. Ensure files are properly named for easy review.
3. Lesson Design: Clear Objectives and Engagement
Effective lesson plans integrate knowledge, skills, and emotional goals while emphasizing core competencies. For example, language courses should highlight reading, speaking, and writing, while math courses should strengthen logical thinking.
AI courses should foster interaction and critical thinking with open-ended questions like, "Is this approach effective?" or "What would you do differently?" Practical assignments can help students apply theoretical knowledge.
Reading courses benefit from cross-disciplinary collaboration, focusing on exploration and critical thinking. Activities like group discussions, role-playing, and book reviews enhance participation.
To boost engagement:
- Tiered questions: Combine foundational and advanced questions to accommodate diverse learners.
- Interactive games: Role-playing or quiz-based challenges make lessons dynamic.
- Technology tools: Use real-time feedback platforms to simulate classroom interaction.
Simplify complex concepts with visual aids (e.g., mind maps), demonstrations, or comparison tables.
4. Slide Preparation: Clarity and Visual Appeal
Slides should adhere to official templates with consistent formatting:
- Fonts: Chinese: HuaWenKaiTi; English: Times New Roman.
- Layout: ≤28 characters per line, ≤8 lines per slide.
Avoid excessive colors or fonts. Use high-quality images, charts, and properly sourced references. Reserve the right third of slides for the teacher's on-screen presence.
5. Video Production: Professionalism and Delivery
Opt for a green screen or plain white background with even lighting. Use a lapel microphone for clear audio. Wear solid-colored clothing (avoid stripes or black/white).
Maintain natural eye contact with the camera, alternating between full-screen slides and teacher shots. Speak clearly at a moderate pace using standard pronunciation. Stand centered with proper framing ("headroom" and "footroom").
Edit for pacing, include a 5-second title card with essential details (e.g., subject, grade, teacher name), and verify technical specs (1080p resolution, H.264, file size <1GB).
6. Submission: Completeness and Originality
Ensure all materials are included and correctly labeled (e.g., "GradeX_LessonY-LessonPlan.docx"). Cite all sources and use authorized images (recommended: National Smart Education Platform resources). Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
By meticulously addressing these six areas, educators can confidently participate in the 2025 selection and contribute to advancing basic education.